Portiuncula University Hospital, like many hospitals, is dealing with increasing levels of attendances to its Emergency Department. This increase is resulting in a higher number of admissions to the hospital. The care needs of many of these patients require a greater length of stay in hospital. Covid-19 is also continuing to have a significant impact on bed capacity, either in caring for patients with the virus directly, or as a result of bed closures caused by Covid restrictions.
Bed capacity has also been impacted by staffing resources. A significant overseas Nursing recruitment campaign is being progressed by the Saolta Group with the intention of having additional resources coming into the service within the next 3 months. Interviews are on-going at present, with an expected arrival date of January 2022 for the first tranche of nurses.
The design of a 12 bedded isolation ward in a vacated area of the hospital is progressing and it is expected that this work will be completed in 2022.
In addition, a new ward block development will provide a 50-bed replacement ward. Tenders are due in for this work in December, with the intention of awarding a contract early in 2022.
In addition, the Saolta Group is working with colleagues in Community Healthcare West and Community Healthcare Organisation 1 to enhance community care, particularly in relation to respiratory, diabetes and older peoples services. This will help to reduce the number of future admissions to the hospital.